Find a Drug
Advanced Search

Professional

Opana ER

Side Effects & Drug Interactions
font size

SIDE EFFECTS

Tables 2 and 3 list the most frequently occurring adverse reactions (in at least 5% of patients) from the placebo-controlled trials in patients with low back pain.

Table 2: Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events Reported in ≥ 5% of Patients During the Open-Label Titration Period and Double-Blind Treatment Period by Preferred Term — Number (%) of Treated Patients (12-Week Study In Opioid-Naïve Patients with Low Back Pain)

  Open-Label
Titration Period
OPANA ER
Double-Blind Treatment Period
OPANA ER Placebo
Preferred Term (N = 325) (N = 105) (N = 100)
Constipation 26.2% 6.7% 1.0%
Somnolence 19.1% 1.9% 0%
Nausea 18.2% 11.4% 9.0%
Dizziness 11.1% 4.8% 3.0%
Headache 10.5% 3.8% 2.0%
Pruritus 6.8% 2.9% 1.0%

Table 3. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events Reported in ≥ 5% of Patients During the Open-Label Titration Period and Double-Blind Treatment Period by Preferred Term — Number (%) of Treated Patients (12-Week Study In Opioid-Experienced Patients with Low Back Pain)

  Open-Label
Titration Period
OPANA ER
Double-Blind Treatment Period
OPANA ER Placebo
Preferred Term (N = 250) (N = 70) (N = 72)
Nausea 19.6% 2.9% 1.4%
Constipation 11.6% 5.7% 1.4%
Headache 11.6% 2.9% 0%
Somnolence 11.2% 2.9% 0%
Vomiting 8.8% 0% 1.4%
Pruritus 7.6% 0% 0%
Dizziness 6.4% 0% 0%

Adverse Reactions Reported in Placebo-Controlled Trials

The following table lists adverse reactions that were reported in at least 2% of patients in placebo-controlled trials (N=5)

Table 4: Adverse Reactions Reported in Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials with Incidence ≥ 2% in Patients Receiving OPANA ER.

MedDRA Preferred Term OPANA ER (N=1259) Placebo (N=461)
Nausea 33.1% 13.2%
Constipation 27.6% 13.2%
Dizziness (Exc Vertigo) 17.8% 7.6%
Somnolence 17.2% 2.2%
Vomiting 15.6% 4.1%
Pruritus 15.2% 7.6%
Headache 12.2% 5.6%
Sweating increased 8.6% 8.7%
Dry mouth 6.4% 0.7%
Sedation 5.9% 7.6%
Diarrhea 4.3% 5.6%
Insomnia 4.0% 2.0%
Fatigue 3.9% 1.3%
Appetite decreased 2.9% 0.4%
Abdominal pain 2.5% 1.5%

Adverse Reactions Reported in All Clinical Trials

A total of 2011 patients were treated with OPANA ER in the Phase 2/3 controlled and open-label clinical trials. The clinical trials consisted of patients with moderate to severe chronic pain and post surgical pain.

The adverse reactions are presented in the following manner: most common, common, and less common adverse reactions.

The most common adverse drug reactions (≥ 10%) reported at least once by patients treated with OPANA ER in the clinical trials were nausea, constipation, dizziness (exc. vertigo), vomiting, pruritus, somnolence, headache, sweating increased, and sedation.

The common (≥ 1% - < 10%) adverse drug reactions reported at least once by patients treated with OPANA ER in the clinical trials organized by MedDRA's (Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities) System Organ Class were:

Eye disorders: vision blurred

Gastrointestinal disorders: diarrhea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia

General disorders and administration site conditions: dry mouth, appetite decreased, fatigue, lethargy, weakness, pyrexia, dehydration, weight decreased, edema

Nervous system disorders: insomnia

Psychiatric disorders: anxiety, confusion, disorientation, restlessness, nervousness, depression

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnea

Vascular disorders: flushing and hypertension

Other less common adverse reactions known with opioid treatment that were seen < 1% in the OPANA ER trials include the following in alphabetical order.

Abdominal distention, agitation, allergic reactions, bradycardia, central nervous system depression, clamminess, depressed level of consciousness, dermatitis, difficult micturition, dysphoria, euphoric mood, feeling jittery, hallucination, hot flashes, hypersensitivity, hypotension, hypoxia, ileus, mental impairment, mental status changes, miosis, oxygen saturation decreased, palpitation, postural hypotension, respiratory depression, respiratory distress, respiratory rate decreased, syncope, tachycardia, urinary retention, urticaria, and visual disturbances.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Oxymorphone is highly metabolized principally in the liver and undergoes reduction or conjugation with glucuronic acid to form both active and inactive metabolites (see PHARMACOKINETICS: Metabolism).

Use with CNS Depressants

The concomitant use of other CNS depressants including sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, other opioids, and alcohol may produce additive CNS depressant effects. OPANA ER, like all opioid analgesics, should be started at 1/3 to 1/2 of the usual dose in patients who are concurrently receiving other central nervous system depressants including sedatives or hypnotics, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, tranquilizers, and alcohol because respiratory depression, hypotension, and profound sedation or coma may result, and titrated slowly as necessary for adequate pain relief.

Additive effects resulting in respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation or coma may result if these drugs are taken in combination with the usual doses of OPANA ER. No specific interaction between oxymorphone and monoamine oxidase inhibitors has been observed, but caution in the use of any opioid in patients taking this class of drugs is appropriate.

When combined therapy with any of the above medications is contemplated, the dose of one or both agents should be reduced (see WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Interactions with Mixed Agonist/Antagonist Opioid Analgesics

Agonist/antagonist analgesics (i.e., pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol, or buprenorphine) should not be administered to patients who have received or are receiving a course of therapy with a pure opioid agonist analgesic, such as OPANA ER. In this situation, mixed agonist/antagonist analgesics may reduce the analgesic effect of OPANA ER and/or may precipitate withdrawal symptoms.

Other

Anticholinergics or other medications with anticholinergic activity when used concurrently with opioid analgesics may result in increased risk of urinary retention and/or severe constipation, which may lead to paralytic ileus.

In addition, CNS side effects have been reported (confusion, disorientation, respiratory depression, apnea, seizures) following coadministration of cimetidine with opioid analgesics; no clear-cut cause and effect relationship was established.

Brand Name: Opana ER
Generic Name: Oxymorphone Hydrochloride Extended Release

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Bookmark this page:


Chronic Pain/Back Pain

Find tips and advances in treatment.

WebMD Symptom Checker - Start Here Ringworm Slideshow: Watch and Learn

Touch Your Way to Health Touch Your Way to Health
Hear from experts on different types of therapeutic massage, how to find a good therapist, and when you should avoid altogether. See more WebMD Videos »